Discharge Monitoring Report-Quality
Assurance (DMR-QA) study program participation is mandatory for
major and selected minor National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System (NPDES) permit holders in accordance with Clean Water Act
Section 308. The DMR-QA study program is designed to evaluate the
analytic ability of the laboratories that perform chemical,
microbiological and whole effluent toxicity (WET) analyses required
in the NPDES permits for reporting results in Discharge Monitoring
Reports (DMR). Under DMR-QA, the permit holder is responsible for
having their in-house and/or contract laboratories perform
proficiency tests and submit results for grading by proficiency
test (PT) providers. Graded results are transmitted by either the
permittee or PT provider to the appropriate federal or state NPDES
regulatory authority. Permit holders are responsible for submitting
corrective action reports to the appropriate regulatory authority
when results are unsatisfactory.
There is an increase of 1,259
hours in the total estimated respondent burden compared with the
ICR currently approved by OMB. This increase in burden hours can be
attributed to an increase in discretionary selection of minor
permit holders for participation by state coordinators. Labor costs
were revised upward due to market changes and inflation. Non-labor
costs for obtaining proficiency test samples also increased.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.